High-gain over 30% PAE power amplifier MMICs in 100 nm GaN technology at Ka-band frequencies

Two high-efficiency power amplifier MMICs utilizing a 100 nm AlGaN/GaN HEMT MMIC technology at Ka-band frequencies are reported in this paper. They have also been designed in order to ensure high output power and high gain. In continuous-wave (CW) operation, the first three stage power amplifier provides 4.5 W of output power and 33% of power-added-efficiency (PAE) at 30 GHz. The first power amplifier has been mirrored and combined in order to reach higher output power levels. This second MMIC power amplifier provides 8.1 W of output power and 30% of PAE at 30 GHz.